”We read other people’s stories to read about ourselves. It’s a tremendous gift that you can only give if you’re willing to be honest. We’re all crouched around our secrets, but, if one person in the room says, “Here it is!” everybody else is free. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth. Write it all.”
—Martha Todd Dudman
Our Latest Anthology
We Crouched Around Our Secrets
And Then We Told the Truth
It’s taken us six months and a lifetime to put together our latest anthology. So many of us have crouched around our secrets in years past, but in this anthology, as always, we let those stories out into the world. And the editorial team has carefully birthed those stories over the past six months with dedication and a belief that the words and arts of feminine expression are to be honored with our best work. Special thanks to managing editor Chiqui Chua, designer Karen Kern, and the entire 25-person team of contributing editors.
Release Party at JaxByJax at FSCJ Kent Campus
Please join us for the Release Party for the fifth volume of (a) river rising: Anthology of Women’s Voices, And Justice for All edition. The party is on Dec. 2, at 11 a.m., at the FSCJ Kent Campus during The Jax By Jax Literary Arts Festival. Find out what 80+ writers and artists felt they needed to say about justice and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, gun violence in our schools and in our streets, and the ongoing struggle to promote equity and justice in a world of racism, sexism, and historic revisionism. We asked ourselves, What’s happening? and, even more importantly, What must we do? Finally, we end with hope—that thing with feathers that perches in the soul.
Preorder Today for Special Pricing on the Anthology
This year we’re offering a special PREORDER pricing option to facilitate the ease of pickup on the day of the event (don’t worry, you can get extra copies at the Release Party). Preorder HERE up until Dec. 1, and pick up December 2.
So Many Opportunities to Engage and Connect!
We’re so pleased to team up with The JaxByJax Literary Arts Festival to launch this latest version of our anthology. At the festival you’ll not only be able pick up our beautiful new anthology, but also participate in our Community ReadAround, attend a Panel Discussion and Author Q&A, and attend a free Writing Circle and Workshop built around the anthology. PLUS, you’ll have time to enjoy many other featured writers at JaxByJax—including Mayor Donna Deegan!
All are welcome. Register HERE for the Release Party. You can PREORDER HERE or below. And please consider becoming a Golden Quill supporter to support our ongoing work; you’ll receive two extra copies and our deep gratitude for your support. Your donation helps us sustain this enormous labor of love for our community.
—Jennifer Wolfe, Executive Director,
Women Writing for (a) Change Jacksonville
p.s. See what else we’ve been up to below!
What We’ve Been Up to Lately
Public ReadAround
End of semester gather highlights stories of transformation
It was butterflies and babies and besties at our Public ReadAround Nov. 18 as 22 beautiful souls from our classes gathered to share their stories of transformation, surrounded by the art of the Metamorphosis Exhibition. New classes will start in January; watch our website for details. But we’ll have one last circle at JaxByJax on Dec. 3 if you can’t wait! Register here.
The Last Word: Hope
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.”
—Emily Dickinson